Great happenings here at PoSARC that is sure to give POSAs a lift- one is the opportunity for partners to weigh in on a topic of great importance to most of us, and the second is the announcement of a new POSA meeting in Tennessee, a first for that state.
Let's look at the critical issue of intimacy deprivation/sexual anorexia first:
Have you ever felt like your voice as the POSA didn't matter much whenever research was done that created treatment protocols for the field of sex addiction?
Ever feel like the topic of sexual anorexia or intimacy deprivation is largely confined to the way the addictexperiences it rather than the therapist understanding how that deprivation/anorexia might be affecting the partner as well, and offering a pathway that allows both parties to heal?
I think it's fair to say many POSAs do feel voiceless and overlooked based on how current treatment models tend to be so addict-centric and/or uninformed about what the healing path looks like when these forms of deprivation/anorexia are present.
So today, I'm cheerleading two brilliant and pioneering therapists to get a survey out to partners so our voices can finally be heard on these critical topics.
Both of these therapists conducting the research serve as Board members and instructors of the training and certifying organization, APSATS, founded by Dr. Barbara Steffens, which trains treatment providers to work with partners from a multidimensional partner trauma model.
I studied under both of these therapists myself when I underwent the APSATS training and I can say without reservation that they're both hugely compassionate about the concerns of partners and couples.
My goal is to help the research they're currently gathering data for to actually impact the treatment field so that partners can get their intimacy needs heard and ultimately addressed by whomever they are working with professionally. The data that this survey collects will eventually form the basis for new treatment models that take into account the partners' needs as well as the addicts'. And not a day too soon!
So dear POSAs, here is your opportunity to participate in influencing the way partners are being conceptualized and treated. As painful as many of our experiences with intimacy deprivation/anorexia are or have been, I am grateful we can at least use those experiences to effect positive changes for the future.
Participate in the survey by clicking this link:
http://drjanicecaudill.polldaddy.com/s/intimacy-anorexia-intimacy-deprivation-survey
(The results of this survey go directly to the therapists conducting the research so full confidentiality is guaranteed.)
We think it's time for partners' intimacy needs to be heard and taken seriously- What do YOU think?
Please share with other readers in the Comment section below:
New POSA Support Group Meeting in Tennessee
As ever, we are beaming congratulatory praise over to the POSA women who have started up their own home-grown support group...this time in beautiful Murfreesboro, Tennessee, a half hour from Nashville.
I know that the meeting founder's therapist has fully supported her client to form this group and will be sending her others who are in need. And so it grows....
We wish all the new members there a strong beginning and much healing as they help support one another through their challenges as partners.
For more information about this meeting, contact MurfreesboroPOSA@gmail.com
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